The Kingsbridge – born Borlase Smart worked as the art editor and critic on the Western Morning News from 1901 to 1913.  In the First World War he served in the Artists Rifles’ volunteer force when he met Leonard Fuller (October 11^th) who was to become a lifelong friend.  They agreed that, if they both survived the War they would create an Art School in St. Ives, a promise that Fuller was not to meet for twenty years.

On his return from the front, Smart did though become a member of the St Ives School, exhibited at the first exhibition of the Society of Graphic Art in London (1921) and published a series of books on painting techniques including his most famous, ‘The Technique of Seascape Painting’ which became a standard text.  Living at Porthmeor, from 1924 until his death in 1947, Smart engaged fully in the life of the town, serving on the town council, leading the Sea Scouts and, in WW2, the Home Guard. 

He supported and promoted the new wave of post-war artists including Ben Nicholson (February 6^th), Barbara Hepworth (May 20^th) and Peter Lanyon (August 31^st).